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Wed 31 Mar, 2010 09:40 am
There is a common expression that goes generally "always question authority" and I don't have any problem with that but, perhaps it's just my personality, I'm far more inclined to question authorities I agree with than ones I don't. Anyway It seems to me that people who say they question authority really mean they question authority that they disagree with and not those they agree with.
@dyslexia,
I agree. My father and my best friend gave me the best advice I've ever gotten in terms of whether to question authority or not - and that was to 'consider the source' and that was literally to consider the source objectively - not only based on my own biased and subjective standards.
As I get older, I question authority more. I am thinking of doctors, religion, health, politics.
I am not afraid to question the authority of a priest, for example, or a therapist, local government, or schools.
I am careful, however, not to "challenge authority" as easily. Of course, I am thinking of the IRS.
Better not question certain kinds of authority. The IRS has already been mentioned. When I was teaching budding juvenile delinquents I used to advise them to not ever argue with the police or to give cops a hard time. Why? Because, I told them, even if you're in the right and the police are in the wong, you"re gonna lose. No question about it.
@Merry Andrew,
My husband will do that - question a police officer - I told him why? He has the authority, fight it later if needed, but why the heck would you get him pissed at you - just guarantees you will get a ticket.
Disagreeing in any way but in a very polite manner with men/women with guns and the color of the law behind them at a scene is unwise.
That does not mean if the situation and their behaviors call for it that going to the police station and filing out a complain or talking to your lawyer and so on can and should not be done afterward.
If nothing else their superiors will not be happy with them for causing him a problem due to their behaviors.
@BillRM,
Please tell my husband that.
@BillRM,
Totally agree with you, Bill. The proper thing to do is file a complaint later. At the scene, it's wise to be as polite and accommodating as possible. Again, even if you're right, you're a-gonna lose the argument. The power is all on the side of the man/woman in uniform.
A friend of mine has a bumper sticker that says
"Question authority in light of God's Word".
Somehow this says it all.
I drove my teachers crazy when I asked questions to suport the basis of their claims. I've found the best way to challenge authority is to ask questions and be persistant in wanting provable answers.
BBB
I go my own way, mostly. If authority agrees with me, fine. I make exceptions of the kind some of you mentioned, such as how to treat the police and paying taxes.
The caliber of the police officers in a local town near me makes me shudder.
I challenged one at the police station in front of his superior officer. A real he said/ she said thing. When he said he would get the tape recording of the traffic stop, I said, 'good, that will clear up everything." Guess what? The "tape" had been erased (I doubt if there ever was one.)
The guy was a f@cking liar and it still makes me seeth when I think of it. I am glad I challenged it.
wow did this thread get off topic or what?
@dyslexia,
you need a troll.
keep things focused and stuff...
@dyslexia,
What is the basis of your assertation?
@dyslexia,
Hey Dys...about the authority you don't agree with - what do you do? I believe I generally do question authority I don't agree with. I am going to think about it a bit and see if I can figure out why...other than the obvious not agreeing with them...
@mismi,
You probably don't question authority you
do agree with because that would mean questioning yourself.
@roger,
Yeah, right. Why would I question someone or something in authority if I know I'm in complete agreement with that authority figure?
@Merry Andrew,
Fortunately, I don't know any authorities with whom I agree.
@Merry Andrew,
Other than religious believers who are in complete agreement with their god/God/authority figure, is anyone in complete agreement with anyone else? Seems like an odd idea to me.
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